Commentary

Texas Central: Amtrak to the Rescue? (UPDATED, Sept. 4, 2024)

I did a double take a year ago when an Amtrak press release with this headline hit my inbox: “Texas Central and Amtrak Seek to Explore High-Speed Rail Service Opportunities between Dallas

Portal North Bridge in the Home Stretch

Portal North Bridge, a key component of the larger Gateway Program, has reached 50% completion, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak and prime construction contractor Skanska/Traylor Bros. PNB Joint Venture (STJV) reported on Aug.

TriMet on Aug. 28 officially launched the 7.8-mile, 10-station Max Red Line extension, wrapping up its three-year, $218 million A Better Red project to increase the light rail system’s reliability, to serve the growing job center of Washington County, and to provide more people with a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MBTA, TriMet, CCJPA/Amtrak, City of Edmonton

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 adopted budget book. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up Red Line track work, removing six speed restrictions; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) celebrates the launch of its MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro; Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Amtrak, and other rail partners kick off September Rail Safety Month with a safety train event; and the City of Edmonton, Alberta debuts the “Here to Help” campaign as part of its Enhanced Transit Safety Plan.

Hudson Tunnel Project Ramping Up (Updated, Aug. 29)

Following securement of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in July for the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP), the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) board on Aug. 28

SMART-TD General Committees Announce Tentative Agreement With Amtrak

General Chairpersons Francis Ariola (GO 663) and Rick Pauli (GO 769), who handle the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ (SMART-TD) Amtrak properties, on

Commentary

Amtrak Can’t Blame Congress Entirely

On Aug. 20, 2024, The New York Times reported that Amtrak’s recent operational difficulties are the result of poorly maintained infrastructure supporting Northeast Corridor train services. In July, Bloomberg published an opinion

Transit Briefs: Amtrak Virginia, Amtrak/NJ Transit, SEPTA, WMATA

Amtrak Virginia begins service to the Newport News Transportation Center. Also, Amtrak and NJ Transit announce a series of actions that both companies will take following a spike of service disruptions in New Jersey and New York Penn Station during May and June; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) enhances safety measures for the new school year; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors approves a new four-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689.

The 2.4-mile DC Streetcar, which launched its first phase in 2015 and second phase in 2016, runs free, daily trips along the H Street NE Corridor and Benning Road from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue. Daily ridership is said to reach upwards of 3,500 passengers. (District Department of Transportation Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DC Streetcar, NJT, MDOT MTA, TransLink, MATA

The District Department of Transportation (Washington, D.C.) extends Jacobs’ program management contract for the DC Streetcar. Also, Forbes ranks New Jersey Transit (NJT) as a “best employer”; Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) provides free Transit app upgrade to public transportation riders statewide; metro Vancouver’s TransLink launches a fare enforcement program; and Memphis (Tenn.) Area Transit Authority (MATA) suspends trolley service.

STB Establishes Procedural Schedule in Amtrak Sunset Limited OTP Proceeding

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Aug. 19 issued a decision to “establish a procedural schedule, address several motions and filings, and provide other directives” regarding its investigation into the on-time performance (OTP) of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited service between New Orleans, La., and Los Angeles, Calif. STB is establishing the procedural schedule in anticipation of the end of the discovery period on Aug. 23, 2024, in the interest of advancing the proceeding.

(William C. Vantuono Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, LACMTA

New Jersey Transit (NJT) will offer a “transit fare holiday.” Also, the free-fare student GoPass program marks a milestone, according to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA).

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